Ok, so I ordered a DP Custom in December 2003. Took almost a year and a half, and the original quote was between 36 and 40 weeks. I send my own design and requested a spalted figured maple for the top, with layers of purple heart, maple, and ash in the center. When I finally got the bass, I was quite dismayed to find first of all that the poly finish I requested was horribly uneven and blotchy, to which Dave replied "That's how it comes out on that particular wood". Knowing that, I think he should have cautioned me beforehand and suggested against the poly, or to use a different topwood. Also, the layers in the body were of quite different thicknesses around the perimeter of the body, like they were sanded to heavily in some spots. The wings were crooked against the neck through, the headstock was lopsided (it was supposed to be an arrowhead shape), the holes for the tuning keys weren't the same distances from the edge of the headstock by a large margin, and the middle piece of the 3 piece neck was not centered. Over all, a quite crappy piece of work.
I sent it back insisting on a redo, which he did. I offered to allow him to use his own designs, and to go without the body lams, all in order to have a better chance of a quality build.
A couple of months later, the bass arrives. Using the same nut from the original that was 1 9/16" wide, the friggin' neck was 1 3/4" wide with filler in the gaps!! I couldn't believe it!!
He had the bass picked up to fix this, and then when it arrived for the third time, I discovered that there now is more bend in the neck on the low side than on the high side. The low side shows some relief and the high side is straight. The more relief I apply, the worse it looks. He says it is fine, and will actually be better for the intonation and resonance of the lower register.
I have been dismayed by the negativity I've seen here about Dave since he's been a pretty standup guy thusfar, but I can no longer stand idly by. He now refuses do do any further work on my bass. I have contacted the BBB, and will also contact legal counsel if necessary.
A note to anyone considering purchasing a DP Custom;
DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!
I sent it back insisting on a redo, which he did. I offered to allow him to use his own designs, and to go without the body lams, all in order to have a better chance of a quality build.
A couple of months later, the bass arrives. Using the same nut from the original that was 1 9/16" wide, the friggin' neck was 1 3/4" wide with filler in the gaps!! I couldn't believe it!!
He had the bass picked up to fix this, and then when it arrived for the third time, I discovered that there now is more bend in the neck on the low side than on the high side. The low side shows some relief and the high side is straight. The more relief I apply, the worse it looks. He says it is fine, and will actually be better for the intonation and resonance of the lower register.
I have been dismayed by the negativity I've seen here about Dave since he's been a pretty standup guy thusfar, but I can no longer stand idly by. He now refuses do do any further work on my bass. I have contacted the BBB, and will also contact legal counsel if necessary.
A note to anyone considering purchasing a DP Custom;
DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!
That was way to funny.... 
